Button: Contract talk was just a wind up, I'm staying at McLaren next season

Jenson Button has made it abundantly clear his future in Formula One will be with McLaren.

Button has admitted to being slightly mischievous with regard to his remarks last Thursday ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix when he stated there was not yet a signature from McLaren on his contract option for next year.

That immediately prompted speculation Button was in the frame for the vacant Red Bull seat, or even a move to Ferrari should they decide to get rid of Felipe Msssa.

Ending the speculation: Jenson Button has confirmed that he will be at McLaren next season

But the 33-year-old knows he is not going anywhere as he said with a smile: 'I was only winding him (team principal Martin Whitmarsh) up.

'That was very unfair of me, but I was just stating a fact (about the signature).

'It's obviously not going our way at the moment, but it will, and I'm very happy here, I feel good here, and I still feel we can achieve so much together.

'I'll be here for my future in Formula One.'

At least there was a glimmer of improvement at Spa-Francorchamps as Button finished sixth, just 12 seconds behind Lewis Hamilton in his Mercedes who was third.

It was not the podium Button believed was possible when he looked beyond the summer break in Hungary at the end of July, but it has given the team something to work on.

'I did say we'd fight for a podium, and we were definitely close to that,' added Button.

Improving: Button finished sixth in Spa with Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel winning his fifth race of the season

'If it had gone our way, if there had been a safety car, then we possibly could have got a podium.

'The next race (in Italy on September 8) is another opportunity, but then after that it's going to be a bit more difficult on the full-downforce circuits.

'If it's a straight out-and-out race with everyone finishing then it is going to be very difficult for us to get a podium, but if it's mixed up a little then there is every opportunity.'

One concern for Button was the lack of straightline speed with his car, which is critical for Monza, the fastest track on the calendar.

'On Sunday there was definitely an improvement, but there are a few areas we are not happy with in terms of the pace of the car,' added Button.

'The car balance is very good. I felt happy with it, the happiest I have been all year. To me it felt very similar to last year.

'But there is another area we're lacking in, which was a surprise and something we need to sort for Monza otherwise it's going to be a tricky weekend.'

Easing off: Martin Whitmarsh will have one less problem to worry about for the remainder of the year